Madagascar line to return to SA waters

ALAN PEAT A RETURN to SA waters for the Societe Malgache de Transports Maritime (SMTM) – the Madagascar national carrier – is expected soon as the shipping line re-starts liner shipping services. The line is launching services, according to BRS Alphaliner, that will link its home island of Madagascar with Mauritius (Port Louis), Reunion and SA. The first vessel planned to take to the seas is the 350-TEU capacity charter ship, the CRC Vision, while two ships of similar size are expected to join the service at a later date. Although FTW has been led to believe by a Durban-based contact that SMTM is due to start the service on November, no other information – such as the SA agents for the service, for example – is available. Although we are still hounding away for further details, any readers who have anything to reveal about the planned service are welcome to e-mail joyo@nowmedia.co.za